Muscle abnormalities in patients with liver cirrhosis and its effect on muscle function

Objectives: The progression of chronic liver disease is associated with metabolic alterations that compromise the patient's body composition and physical function. Muscle wasting often occurs with pathologic fat accumulation in the muscle (myosteatosis). Unfavorable changes in body composition frequently arise in conjunction with a decrease in muscle strength. These conditions are associated with worse prognoses. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between computed tomography (CT)-derived measures of muscle mass and muscle radiodensity (myosteatosis) and its correlation with muscle strength in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2016 and July 2017. CT images at the third lumbar vertebra level (L3) were analyzed, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) were defined. Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed by dynamometry. Correlations between CT assessed body composition and HGS were tested. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with HGS. Results: We evaluated 118 patients with cirrhosis, of whom 64.4% were men. Of those evaluated, the mean age was 57.5 8.5 y. Both SMI and SMD showed a positive correlation with muscle strength (r = 0.46 and 0.25, respectively); and age and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)score showed the highest negative correlations (r =-0.37 and-0.34, respectively). In multivariable analyses, the presence of comorbidities (>1), MELD score, and SMI were significantly associated with HGS. Conclusions: Low muscle mass and clinical characteristics of disease severity may adversely affect muscle strength in patients with liver cirrhosis. & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the associations between muscle mass and muscle radiodensity with muscle strength in patients with liver cirrhosis. The results showed positive correlations between muscle mass and muscle strength, and negative correlations between age and disease severity and muscle strength. Multivariable analyses revealed significant associations between comorbidities, disease severity, and muscle mass with muscle strength.